School Board Seeking $75.5 Million To Build Two New Schools, Expand 4 Others

Johnston County Schools will be seeking funding for $75.5 million in school building improvements.

District officials say they need two new schools to ease overcrowding in county schools. They have proposed building a $19.1 million elementary school and $18.5 million middle school in Clayton, 24 new classroom additions to both Corinth Holders High School and Cleveland High School a cost of $7 million apiece, a $4 million addition to Four Oaks Middle School and a $3.2 million addition to Archer Lodge Middle School.

The remaining monies would go toward renovations at eight area locations including North Johnston High, Smithfield-Selma High and Princeton High schools, upgrading technology, paving improvements and roofing repairs.

The school board voted unanimously to seek the money for the two new schools and expansions at the 4 existing campuses.

Superintendent Dr. Ed Croom said the district would be in contact with county commissioners to develop a bond referendum for 2016 to pay for the proposed projects.